A three-Test series against South Africa is disappointing and both sets of
players plus fans and commentators would like to see four or even five
matches between two very strong sides.

But the fact this is a short series is why I make England clear favourites, winning either 1-0 or 2-0. Winning the first session of the first Test will be crucial and England should be in a better position to do that. A three-day match against Kent and a two-day game against Somerset is simply not enough preparation for South Africa and England could catch them cold at The Oval, a ground where we have had success against South Africa in the past.

During my career we played well against South Africa when we had a settled side. In 1999 we struggled as Duncan Fletcher and Nasser Hussain got to know each other on their first tour as coach and captain. In 2003 I took over from Nasser after the first Test and somehow we scraped a draw. In 2008 they beat us in this country. I was fading away, there were issues within the team and strange things happened such as the selection of Darren Pattinson from nowhere to play at Headingley.

The only time we were settled was in 2004-05 when we beat South Africa in their own country. They were a decent side but we were well organised, settled and flying. I see this England team as being in exactly the same state now. South Africa should look at this England side and be worried.

The two captains will be important as they are similar leaders and men.

People think I have a rocky relationship with Graeme Smith but we have become good mates. The first series we played against each other it was quite heated but we have met away from cricket and got on. He has changed his style of leadership down the years as well. When he first started he was a very vocal kid, both towards the opposition and his own players. He rubbed people up the wrong way. But I have a huge amount of admiration for the way he has changed while dealing with the political side of things in South Africa. Throughout it all he has also scored heavy runs under pressure. He is the kind of batsman who makes hundreds when his team needs a score chasing a total to win a Test match. That is key to being a strong leader.

Andrew Strauss is the same. Both are good blokes, speak well and like to lead with the bat. In fact this series could come down to which captain scores the most runs.

England will know Smith is strong on the cut and pull. They have to bring him forward and hit the pads early on. Getting him guessing if it will go across or come back into him is how to mess with his mind.

He used to play a brave attacking game up front and go hard at the ball and in some ways I think against this England attack it is not a bad idea to be brave and bold. Those that simply try and survive will find they don’t last long. As a captain Smith can be quite brave with his calls in the field while Strauss has a system that works for him and will not change anything.

Both captains will know these will be long matches and mentally draining. I don’t see three, three-day Tests in this series. It is going to be tough cricket and South Africa are now the one team in the world capable of beating England in their backyard mainly because their batsmen will be hard to dismiss twice in a match. Australia are nowhere near that standard now.

We all know South Africa’s bowling is strong but again I just wonder if Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander will have bowled enough overs before the first Test.

The De Villiers factor behind the stumps could also be another boost for England. It is a job AB would not have wanted to take on. It will be physically demanding on top of facing a good England attack. Boucher was also the engine of the team.

Matt Prior has done that for England for the past three or four years and we see him as a vital part of the side. Well Boucher had been doing it for 15 years. It is hard to replace that kind of player overnight, particularly at the start of a tour. Smith will miss his tactical nous and approach to the game.

I will go as far as saying his loss has swung the series in England’s favour. His departure is more of a boost to England’s chances than his presence would have been for South Africa’s.

As a captain and coach you want your spine sorted: two openers, new ball bowlers, a spinner and a keeper. South Africa have lost one of their main cogs and that is bound to unbalance the side a little bit.